2002 Legacy - Steering feels blocky
Asked by Erik Mar 18, 2019 at 09:40 AM about the 2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon AWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Recently I noticed my 2002 Subaru legacy has a weird
pattern of resistance when steering, especially when it's
cold. I had the steering rack replaced a year ago and
currently when the car is cold, it feels like my steering
wheel is turning a block on its side. Lots of resistance, then
easy, then lots of resistance, then easy, etc. I had to drive
for about an hour and a half last night and when I got home
and turned around in my driveway the problem was totally
absent. I'm wondering what the issue could be or how I
could check for different possibilities.
7 Answers
I would check for any warranty on the new rack, a lot of them come with a 12 to 24 month warranty. If your warranty is nearing expiration get it back to that shop asap.
Hey KenF, I took it there and they said the rack was fine. They also replaced the power steering belt recently and said that was fine as well. They thought the problem lied within the pump and recommended I replace it. Since it's an old car and not really an urgent safety issue, I'm going to hold off on repairing it for now.
Are there any associated noises from the pump? Keep in mind, the rack can be damaged by low fluid levels caused by a failing pump, so don't let it get too bad before replacing it.
KenF, no noises coming from the pump at all. I also noticed that with right turns, if I let go of the wheel, the wheel doesn't straighten itself out
KenF, is it possible that the mechanic doesn't want to do a warranty replacement? All the research I'm seeing suggests that this problem is with the rack and not necessarily the pump. It's getting a little bit worse with the resistance points and returnability. What should I do?
I just can't see it being the pump, especially without making any kind of noise. Try slipping the serpentine belt off it and spinning the pulley by hand, should spin evenly. It won't spin freely since the pump is always engaged, but you shouldn't feel any 'pulsing' or uneven turning. Remember this when it comes to warranty repairs, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. If they are delaying repairs or putting you off, get a second opinion.
Check your invoice from the repair too, see what sort of warranty is stated on it. Most shops I know will give you a limited warranty on workmanship, with the manufacturer's warranty on the parts.
